U.S. patent application number 14/062587 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-24 for apparatus comprising power strip and battery.
This patent application is currently assigned to Quirky, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Quirky, Inc.. Invention is credited to Timothy Connelly, Faris Elmasu, Nathan Meryash, Denyveaus Sells.
Application Number | 20140111143 14/062587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50484759 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140111143 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sells; Denyveaus ; et
al. |
April 24, 2014 |
APPARATUS COMPRISING POWER STRIP AND BATTERY
Abstract
An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus, comprising: a cord
component connected to a plug component at a first end; a power
strip component connected to the cord component at a second end of
the cord component; the power strip component comprising one or
more USB dedicated charge ports and one or more AC outlets; a
charging cavity within the power strip component suitable to
receive a removable battery having a battery electrical contact;
and a power strip electrical contact located in the charging cavity
that connects with the battery electrical contact and charges the
battery when the battery is inserted into the charging cavity of
the power strip component.
Inventors: |
Sells; Denyveaus; (New York,
NY) ; Elmasu; Faris; (New York, NY) ; Meryash;
Nathan; (New York, NY) ; Connelly; Timothy;
(New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Quirky, Inc. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Quirky, Inc.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
50484759 |
Appl. No.: |
14/062587 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61717813 |
Oct 24, 2012 |
|
|
|
61774838 |
Mar 8, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0047 20130101;
H02J 7/0029 20130101; H02J 7/00 20130101; H02J 7/0045 20130101;
H02J 7/0042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/107 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a cord component connected to a plug
component at a first end; a power strip component connected to the
cord component at a second end of the cord component; the power
strip component comprising at least one USB dedicated charge port
and at least one AC outlet; and the power strip component
configured to charge a removable battery.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power strip component
comprises an indicator light that provides a visual indication that
the power strip component is receiving electricity through the cord
component.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power strip component
comprises a power strip electrical contact comprising at least one
of a leaf spring connector outlet, a blade connector outlet and a
pogo pin outlet for charging the battery.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power strip component
comprises a power strip housing made of at least one of a
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(ABS).
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power strip component
comprises a power strip housing having silicone pads on a base of
the power strip housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises an
indicator light that provides a visual indication that the battery
is receiving electricity from the power strip component.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a
battery USB dedicated charge port for charging a mobile device, and
a battery electrical contact comprising at least one of a leaf
spring connector receiving outlet, a blade connector receiving
outlet and a pogo pin receiving outlet for charging the
battery.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a
fold-out wall plug to enable charging of the battery separate from
the power strip component, the fold-out wall plug connecting with a
power strip electrical contact when the battery is inserted into a
charging cavity of the power strip component.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a DC to
DC boost converter circuit, a charge port controller circuit, a
microcontroller circuit, an input power management and charging
circuit, and a protection circuit.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a spring loading
mechanism located within the charging cavity of the power strip
component, wherein the spring loading mechanism is in a locked
position when the battery is pressed into the charging cavity of
the power strip component, and wherein the battery is released and
lifted out of the charging cavity when the spring loading mechanism
is activated.
11. An apparatus comprising: a housing; a battery electrical
contact extending through an external surface of the housing for
receiving electricity; a battery located within the housing for
storing the electricity received through the battery electrical
contact; and a USB dedicated charge port for charging a mobile
device by transferring electricity from the battery to the mobile
device, wherein the battery comprises a DC to DC boost converter
circuit, a charge port controller circuit, a microcontroller
circuit, an input power management and charging circuit, and a
protection circuit.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the battery electrical
contact comprises a fold-out wall plug that receives electricity
when inserted into a wall electrical outlet for charging the
battery.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the DC to DC boost converter
circuit adjusts voltage of the battery to a required voltage for
charging through the USB dedicated charge port.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the charge port controller
ensures optimal charge rates and supports charging compatibility of
mobile devices.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the microcontroller manages
a graphical user interface.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the microcontroller requests
fuel gauge State-of Charge (SoC) data from a battery SoC
measurement and charging status monitoring circuit that monitors
the battery's fuel gauge.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein when the SoC data indicates
a low charging state, the DC to DC boost converter circuit is
disabled.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the microcontroller controls
an indicator light located on the battery based on the SoC data
received from the fuel gauge.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the input power management
and charging circuit of the battery is configured to pass
electricity through to the mobile device without passing
electricity through nodes of the battery and electricity not
consumed for charging the mobile device charges the battery.
20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the protection circuit
prevents fault conditions and thermal events from damaging the
battery.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/717,813, filed Oct. 24,
2012, entitled "Apparatus Comprising Power Strip and Battery" and
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/774,838, filed Mar.
8, 2013, entitled "Apparatus Comprising Power Strip and Battery."
The entire contents of each of the above-referenced applications
are incorporated herein by reference.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] An exemplary embodiment comprises a power strip having one
or more AC power outlets, one or more USB dedicated charge ports,
and at least one connector for charging a battery suitable for use
as a portable power supply for a mobile device.
[0003] More specifically, an exemplary aspect may comprise an
apparatus comprising: a cord component connected to a plug
component at a first end; a power strip component connected to the
cord component at a second end of the cord component; the power
strip component comprising one or more USB dedicated charge ports
and one or more AC outlets; a charging cavity within the power
strip component suitable to receive a removable battery having a
battery electrical contact; and a power strip electrical contact
located in the charging cavity that connects with the battery
electrical contact and charges the battery when the battery is
inserted into the charging cavity of the power strip component.
[0004] In one or more exemplary apparatus embodiments: (1) the
power strip component comprises an indicator light that provides a
visual indication that the power strip component is receiving
electricity through the cord component; (2) the power strip
component comprises a power strip electrical contact comprising at
least one of a leaf spring connector outlet, a blade connector
outlet and a pogo pin outlet for charging the battery; (3) the
power strip component comprises a power strip housing made of at
least one of a Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) and Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (ABS); (4) the power strip component comprises a
power strip housing having silicone pads on a base of the power
strip housing; (5) the battery comprises an indicator light that
provides a visual indication that the battery is receiving
electricity from the power strip component; (6) the battery
comprises a battery USB dedicated charge port for charging a mobile
device, and a battery electrical contact comprising at least one of
a leaf spring connector receiving outlet, a blade connector
receiving outlet and a pogo pin receiving outlet for charging the
battery; (7) the battery comprises a fold-out wall plug to enable
charging of the battery separate from the power strip component,
the fold-out wall plug connecting with a power strip electrical
contact when the battery is inserted into a charging cavity of the
power strip component; (8) the battery comprises a DC to DC boost
converter circuit, a charge port controller circuit, a
microcontroller circuit, an input power management and charging
circuit, and a protection circuit; and (9) a spring loading
mechanism is located within the charging cavity of the power strip
component, wherein the spring loading mechanism is in a locked
position when the battery is pressed into the charging cavity of
the power strip component, and wherein the battery is released and
lifted out of the charging cavity when the spring loading mechanism
is activated.
[0005] Another exemplary aspect may comprise an apparatus
comprising: a housing; a battery electrical contact extending
through an external surface of the housing for receiving
electricity; a battery located within the housing for storing the
electricity received through the battery electrical contact; and a
USB dedicated charge port for charging a mobile device by
transferring electricity from the battery to the mobile device,
wherein the battery comprises a DC to DC boost converter circuit, a
charge port controller circuit, a microcontroller circuit, an input
power management and charging circuit, and a protection
circuit.
[0006] In one or more exemplary apparatus embodiments: (1) the
battery electrical contact comprises a fold-out wall plug that
receives electricity when inserted into a wall electrical outlet
for charging the battery; (2) the DC to DC boost converter circuit
adjusts voltage of the battery to a required voltage for charging
through the USB dedicated charge port; (3) the charge port
controller ensures optimal charge rates and supports charging
compatibility of mobile devices; (4) the microcontroller manages a
graphical user interface; (5) the microcontroller requests fuel
gauge State-of Charge (SoC) data from a battery SoC measurement and
charging status monitoring circuit that monitors the battery's fuel
gauge; (6) when the SoC data indicates a low charging state, the DC
to DC boost converter circuit is disabled; (7) the microcontroller
controls an indicator light located on the battery based on the SoC
data received from the fuel gauge; (8) the input power management
and charging circuit of the battery is configured to pass
electricity through to the mobile device without passing
electricity through nodes of the battery and electricity not
consumed for charging the mobile device charges the battery; and
(9) the protection circuit prevents fault conditions and thermal
events from damaging the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIGS. 1A-1K depict exemplary embodiments of an apparatus
comprising a power strip and a battery.
[0008] FIGS. 2-4 depict perspective views of the apparatus.
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0010] FIGS. 6A-6B depict exemplary circuit diagrams of the power
strip component.
[0011] FIGS. 7A-7C depict exemplary embodiments of the battery.
[0012] FIGS. 8-10 depict exemplary circuit diagrams of the
battery.
[0013] FIGS. 11-20 depict exemplary circuit diagrams of circuits
used in construction of the battery.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIGS. 1A-1K depict exemplary embodiments of an apparatus
comprising a power strip and a battery. As depicted in FIGS. 1A and
1B, the apparatus 100 may comprise a cord component 110 connected
to a plug component (not shown) at a first end. The cord component
110 is connected to a power strip component 120 at a second end of
the cord component 110 opposite to the first end.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the power strip component 120
comprises a surge protector.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the power strip component 120
comprises a plurality of USB dedicated charge ports 140, a
plurality of AC outlets 130 and a pogo pin outlet (not shown).
[0017] FIG. 1C depicts an exemplary embodiment having a charging
cavity 190 suitable to receive a removable portable battery 150 and
that is located within the power strip component 120.
[0018] FIG. 1D depicts a user removing the battery 150 from the
charging cavity 190. The battery 150 is located within a battery
housing. The battery 150 comprises a battery electrical contact 198
(see FIG. 1J) extending through an external surface of the battery
housing for receiving electricity from a power strip electrical
contact 510 (see FIG. 5) located in the charging cavity 190. That
is, the battery electrical contact 198 connects with the power
strip electrical contact 510 of the power strip component 120 and
electricity is transferred to the battery 150 when the battery 150
is inserted into the charging cavity 190. Exemplary embodiments of
the battery electrical contact 198 comprise at least one of a leaf
spring connector receiving outlet, a blade connector receiving
outlet and a pogo pin receiving outlet.
[0019] FIG. 1E depicts an exemplary embodiment of the battery 150
partially removed from the charging cavity 190 of the power strip
component 120 in image (1) and the battery 150 fully inserted into
the charging cavity 190 in image (2). In image (3) of FIG. 1E, the
battery 150 is partially removed from the charging cavity 190. In
image (4) of FIG. 1E, the battery 150 has been removed from the
charging cavity 190.
[0020] FIG. 1F depicts an exemplary embodiment of the power strip
120 and the battery 150 comprising the USB dedicated charge ports
140.
[0021] FIG. 1G depicts an exemplary embodiment of the power strip
120 identifying parts, colors, materials and finishes. Part (1) is
a top cover with a color of Pantone Q716-1-1, made of a
polycarbonate plastic, and finished with a Matte (MT-11000) soft
touch. Part (2) is a metal trim with a color of black, made of
polycarbonate plastic, and finished with an anodized black
horizontal brush. Part (3) is a base with a color of pantone
Q716-1-1, made of a polycarbonate plastic, and finished with a
matte (MT-11000) soft touch. Part (4) is a battery eject button
with a color of black, made of aluminum, and finished with an
anodized black horizontal brush. Part (5) refers to silicone feet,
with a color of pantone Q716-1-1, made of a High Friction silicone,
and finished with a gloss. Part (6) is a power button with a color
of black, made of aluminum, and finished with an anodized black
horizontal brush. Part (7) is battery pogo pins made of copper.
Part (8) is a USB dedicated charge port, with a color of black.
[0022] FIG. 1H depicts an exemplary embodiment of the power strip
component 120 comprising a spring loading mechanism 195 located
within the charging cavity 190. The spring loading mechanism 195 is
fully retracted and in a locked position when the battery 150 is
pressed into the charging cavity 190 of the power strip component
120. When the spring loading mechanism 195 is activated, the
battery 150 is released and lifted out of the charging cavity 190
and the spring loading mechanism is in a fully extended and
unlocked position. FIG. 1I depicts an exemplary embodiment of the
power strip component 120 with the charging cavity 190 fully
extended by the spring loading mechanism 195. The spring loading
mechanism 195, in an exemplary embodiment, is dampened such that
the battery 150 rises from the charging cavity 190 in a slow and
controlled manner.
[0023] Those skilled in the art will understand that various known
components may be used to implement the spring loading mechanism
195. One example is a press-and-release mechanism similar to that
used in certain retractable ink pens. In other embodiments, the
battery 150 may be placed in the charging cavity 190 with no
additional constraint, may be placed in the charging cavity 190 and
held in place with a lever or other constraint, or may be placed in
no charging cavity 190.
[0024] FIG. 1J depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of the power strip component 120 comprising the charging
cavity 190 with no spring loading mechanism. The charging cavity
190 comprises a flat surface 196 and a sloped surface 197. The flat
surface 196 comprises the power strip electrical contact 510. The
battery 150 rests on the flat surface 196 when inserted into the
charging cavity 190 and the power strip electrical contact 510
connects with the battery electrical contact 198, as depicted in
image (1) of FIG. 1J. In this embodiment, the power strip
electrical contact 510 comprises a pogo pin outlet and the battery
electrical contact 198 comprises a pogo pin receiving outlet. The
weight of the battery 150 provides sufficient force for the power
strip electrical contact 510 and the battery electrical contact 198
to maintain a connection. The sloped surface 197 recedes at an
angle away from the flat surface 196 deeper into the charging
cavity 190. The sloped surface 197 allows a user to depress a first
end of the battery 150 into the charging cavity 190 according to
arrow A, lifting a second end of the battery 150 out of the
charging cavity 190, as depicted in image (2) of FIG. 1J.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the charging cavity 190 is sized
larger than the battery 150 to allow the first end of the battery
150 to be depressed into the charging cavity 190.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the power strip electrical
contact 510 is larger than the battery electrical contact 198 such
that the power strip electrical contact 510 and the battery
electrical contact 198 maintain a connection, and the battery 150
continues to receive electricity from the power strip component
120, when the battery 150 moves within the charging cavity 190.
[0027] FIG. 1K depicts an exemplary embodiment of materials used to
construct housings of the power strip component 120 and the battery
150. That is, in FIG. 1K image (1) depicts an etching finish with
an aluminum brush and color finish, while image (2) of FIG. 1K
depicts a plastic soft touch color and texture finish.
[0028] FIGS. 2-4 depict perspective views of the apparatus 100.
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the apparatus 100 with the
battery 150 removed from the charging cavity 190. The power strip
component 120, in an exemplary embodiment, comprises the power
strip electrical contact 510 located in the charging cavity 190
that charges the battery 150 when the battery 150 is inserted into
the charging cavity 190. Exemplary embodiments of the power strip
electrical contact 510 may comprise a leaf spring connector, a
blade connector and/or a pogo pin outlet.
[0030] Other embodiments may use inductive charging (for example,
similar to that used in Duracell's Powermat), or other charging
mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0031] FIGS. 6A-6B depict exemplary circuit diagrams of the power
strip component 120.
[0032] The power strip component 120, in an exemplary embodiment,
may have approximate dimensions of 278 millimeters (mm) width, 75
mm depth, and 29 mm height. Exemplary construction of the power
strip component 120 comprises a power strip housing made with a
ThermoPlastic Elastomer (TPE) base. In another exemplary
embodiment, the power strip housing may be of Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic, and may have silicone pads
("feet") for support located on a base of the power strip
housing.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the power strip component 120
comprises an indicator light 160 that provides a visual indication
that the power strip component 120 is receiving electricity through
the cord component 110. The power strip component 120 may comprise
a power button 180 for turning "on" and "off" the electricity
received through the cord component 110.
[0034] FIG. 7A depicts a perspective view of the battery 150.
Exemplary embodiments of the battery 150 comprise at least one of a
battery USB dedicated charge port 730, a pogo pin outlet (not
shown), and the like for charging mobile devices, such as
smartphones, tablets, laptops etc. The battery 150, when removed
from the power strip component 120, enables a user to charge their
mobile device without having the mobile device plugged into a wall
electrical outlet. The mobile device is charged by transferring
electricity from the battery 150 to the mobile device through one
of the battery USB dedicated charge port and the battery pogo pin
outlet.
[0035] That is, when the battery 150 is removed from the charging
cavity 190 of the power strip component 120, a user can plug a
mobile device into one of the USB dedicated charge port or pogo pin
outlets to charge the mobile device without being connected to a
wall electrical outlet.
[0036] The battery USB dedicated charge port, in an exemplary
embodiment, is a USB A outlet with 5.2V output at less than 2.5 A.
The battery USB dedicated charge port comprises charge port
emulation on D lines to support maximum mobile device charge rates.
For example, similar to Dedicated Charging Port (DCP), Apple 5W and
10W/12W, YD/T 1591-2009.
[0037] Exemplary construction of the battery 150 comprises an
ultrasonic welded plastic battery housing 710 partially made of ABS
plastic, and/or a cold molded rubberized base. The battery 150
further comprises a battery indicator light 170 that provides a
visual indication that the battery 150 is receiving electricity
from the power strip component 120. The battery 150, in an
exemplary embodiment, comprises a battery power button 720. The
battery power button 720 turns "on" and "off" the electricity
output from the battery 150.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 150 has an internal
cell bank capacity of, for example, 4000-6000 mAh, and may comprise
a Lithium-Ion Prismatic battery. In another exemplary embodiment,
the battery 150 may comprise two 2000 mAh cells. Battery capacity
may be 6000 mAh, or have a different capacity, especially as
battery technology changes over time. The battery may have fuel
gauging that doesn't require calibration. Those skilled in the art
will understand that various other combinations of cells may be
used, depending on the desired capacity of the battery.
[0039] FIG. 7B depicts an exemplary embodiment of the battery 150
comprising a fold-out wall plug 740 to enable charging of battery
150 by plugging into a wall electrical outlet, separate from power
strip component 120. The fold-out wall plug 740 rotates on an axis
both towards and away from the housing of the battery 150 such that
the fold-out wall plug 740 extends at a right-angle with respect to
the housing of the battery 150 when fully extended and rests flush
and parallel to the housing of the battery 150 when fully
retracted. In an exemplary embodiment, when the battery 150 is
inserted into the charging cavity 190, the fold-out wall plug 740
is in a fully retracted position and connects with the power strip
electrical contact 510 in the charging cavity 190 of the power
strip component 120 and receives electricity for charging the
battery 150.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the fold-out wall plug may 740
be configured for various wall electrical outlet voltages, such as,
for example, a North American standard 110 V plug, or a European
standard 220 V plug.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 150 may not include
the fold-out wall plug for separate charging. Also, an embodiment
of the battery 150 may have a different number of USB dedicated
charge ports (e.g., two), or may have no USB dedicated charge
ports.
[0042] FIG. 7C depicts an exemplary embodiment of the battery 150,
identifying parts, colors, materials and finishes. Part (1) is a
top cover with a color of pantone Q716-1-1, made of a polycarbonate
plastic, and finished with a matte (MT-11000) soft touch. Part (2)
is a metal trim with a color of black, made of aluminum, and
finished with an anodized black horizontal brush. Part (3) is an
indicator light with a white Light Emitting Diode (LED). Part (4)
is an indicator light button with a color of pantone Q716-1-1, made
of polycarbonate plastic, and finished with a matte (MT-11000) soft
touch. Part (5) is a bottom cover, i.e., base, with a color of
pantone Q716-1-1, made of polycarbonate plastic, and finished with
a matte (MT-11000) soft touch. Part (6) refers to charge
connections made of copper and finished with aluminum. Part (7) is
a USB dedicated charge port, with a color of black.
[0043] FIGS. 8-10 depict exemplary circuit diagrams of the battery
150. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 150 comprises a DC to
DC boost converter circuit; a charge port controller circuit; a
microcontroller circuit; an input power management and charging
circuit; and a protection circuit.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, a DC to DC boost converter
circuit may be used in order to adjust the voltage of the battery
150 to a voltage required for charging through one of the USB
dedicated charge port and the pogo pin outlet. In an exemplary
embodiment, the DC to DC boost converter circuit adjusts the
voltage to the approximately 5 V required for USB charging. Those
skilled in the art will understand that various known components
may be used for the DC to DC boost converter circuit, however, an
exemplary DC to DC boost converter circuit comprises a Linear Tech
LTC3113 circuit, as depicted in FIG. 11, or a Texas Instruments
TPS43000, as depicted in FIG. 12.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 150 comprises a
charge port controller circuit. The charge port controller ensures
optimal charge rates and supports charging compatibility of a wide
range of mobile devices. Those skilled in the art will understand
that various known components may be used for the charge port
controller, however, an exemplary charge port controller circuit
comprises a Smart Mixed-Signal Connectivity (SMSC) UCS100X, as
depicted in FIG. 13, or a Texas Instruments TPS2546, as depicted in
FIG. 14.
[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 150 comprises a
microcontroller that manages a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and
monitors power button input. The microcontroller also requests fuel
gauge State-of Charge (SoC) data from a battery SoC measurement and
charging status monitoring circuit, which monitors the battery
150's fuel gauge. The microcontroller controls the indicator light
170 based on the SoC data received from the battery SoC measurement
and charging status monitoring circuit indicating a charging state
of the battery 150. Those of ordinary skill will understand that
various known components may be used for the microcontroller,
however, an exemplary embodiment of the microcontroller comprises
an Atmel ATmega circuit or a Texas Instruments MSP 430.
[0047] Those of ordinary skill will understand that various known
components may be used for the battery SoC measurement and charging
status monitoring circuit, however, an exemplary embodiment of the
battery SoC measurement and charging status monitoring circuit
comprises a Texas Instruments bq27541-g1, as depicted in FIG. 15,
or a Texas Instruments bq27541-v200, as depicted in FIG. 16. When
the SoC data indicates a low charging state, the DC to DC converter
may be disabled.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, an input power management and
charging circuit of the battery 150 is configured for prioritized
pass-through power distribution. That is, when the battery 150 is
being charged, either when connected to the power strip component
120 or plugged into a wall electrical outlet, as described herein,
and a mobile device is connected to the battery USB dedicated
charge port or the battery pogo pin outlet at the same time,
electricity is passed through to the mobile device without passing
through nodes of the battery 150. Electricity not consumed for
charging the mobile device is used to charge the battery 150.
[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that various known
components may be used to enable prioritized pass-through
functionality (and that some embodiments may have no pass-through
functionality); however, an exemplary embodiment of the input power
management and charging circuit comprises a Linear Technologies
LTC4155 circuit, as depicted in FIG. 17, for dual input management,
i.e., management of USB and pogo pin outlets, and pass-through
power distribution. In an another exemplary embodiment, the input
power management and charging circuit comprises a Texas Instruments
bq24195L circuit, as depicted in FIG. 18, which provides; dual
input management; charging for a 4.35 V Li-Ion cell; and discharge
power path management and light boost capability, which adjusts
cell voltage to 3.5 V during low voltage conditions.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 150 comprises a
protection circuit that prevents fault conditions from damaging the
battery 150 and prevents thermal events, such as fire or explosion.
Those skilled in the art will understand that various known
components may be used for the protection circuit, however, an
exemplary embodiment of the protection circuit comprises a Seiko
S-8211C circuit, as depicted in FIG. 19, or a Mitsumi MM3280
circuit, as depicted in FIG. 20.
[0051] While the circuitry described above is, in an exemplary
embodiment, located in the battery 150, other embodiments may have
the circuitry located in the power strip component 120, or may have
some circuitry in the power strip component 120 and some in the
battery 150.
[0052] Other exemplary embodiments of the battery 150 comprise the
following features: impedance track fuel gauging; a microcontroller
circuit and fuel gauge User Interface (UI); auto-on functionality
such that no button needs to be pressed to charge a mobile device
when connected; and low self-discharge.
[0053] While certain exemplary aspects and embodiments have been
described herein, many alternatives, modifications, and variations
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,
exemplary aspects and embodiments set forth herein are intended to
be illustrative, not limiting. Various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *